Name Books

Hello Book -
Skills: print knowledge; visual memory

A “Hello Book” is perfect for helping children recognize their names and create friendships. You will need a photograph of each child, construction paper, book rings, and markers. Glue each child’s photo on a page. (If you don’t have photographs of the children, just let them draw a picture of themselves.) Write “Hello child’s name.” at the top of the page. Punch holes in the pages and put together with book rings. Start your day by reading the book together and saying hello to each other.

*You could also use the book when you want to ask questions to the class. Randomly turn to a page and let that child answer the question. This will allow “thinking time” and discourage children from shouting out the answer.

*Use this book to dismiss children for learning centers, to line up, etc. Flip through the book and hold up different pictures. As the children see their photo, they may be dismissed. *“Sing and read” this book to the tune of “Good Night, Ladies.”

Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
Hello, (child’s name).
How are you today?

Hint! You can make a similar book called “Kiss Your Brain!” Or, how about, “Got Milk?” where you paint a white mustache on each child’s photo with white out!

Our Happy Day Book - This is a book that will help children feel comfortable as they learn the daily routine in your classroom. Even if children can’t read the words, the pictures will provide them with clues about what to do. Read the book each morning to prepare children and to capture their interest in activities you have planned. Have children refer to the book to “see what we should do next.” You could also send the book home with one child each evening to share with their families.

First, take pictures of the children engaged in your daily activities and routines. Glue pictures to construction paper and write captions similar to the ones suggested. (Adapt to the age level of your students and your curriculum.) Put the pages together and bind with a spiral binder or book rings.

Welcome to Marshall School

Put away your backpack and get ready for a great day!
We start our day with circle time and a song!
We talk, do the calendar, and learn together.
Next, we do literacy centers.
We read, write, listen, and play!
Time to go outside for P.E.
We need to exercise our bodies as well as our brains.

Next comes math! We count, add, subtract, measure,
graph, and think!

Time for lunch.
I’m hungry! How about you?

Story time is always special.
Books are friends that we love to visit again and again.

Then it’s time for learning centers.
Do you want to play in the blocks, housekeeping, art, science, math, computers, table
toys, library, or sand table?

Let’s recall and review our day.
Don’t forget your backpacks!

Good-bye, friends!
See you tomorrow!

Hint! If you have a schedule that changes each day, then try this idea. Take photos of the different events in your school day and glue them to index cards. Attach a piece of magnetic tape to the back. Each day arrange the cards on the magnetic board so students can “see” the routine.

The Name of My School

Do you get tired of children saying, “Teacher, teacher!” the first few days of school? This song will enable them to learn the name of their teacher, school, principal, as well as their community, city, state, and country.

Take photographs of yourself, the principal, the school, your community, and so forth. Glue pictures to construction paper and write a verse similar to those below on each page. Sing the words to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus.”

The name of my school is (school’s name), (school’s name), (school’s name).
The name of my school is (school’s name).
That’s the name of my school.

The name of my teacher is (teacher’s name), (teacher’s name),
(teacher’s name)…

The name of my principal is…
The name of my librarian is…
The name of my P.E. teacher is…

Hint! Include social studies concepts so children learn the name of your mayor, governor, the President, your continent, etc.